WSOU Ready To Supply Storm Coverage In New York, New Jersey

January 26, 2015 at 12:32 PM (PT)

SETON HALL UNIVERSITY Rock WSOU (89.5 FM)/NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY, the student-run radio station, is geared up and ready to provide news, traffic, weather, and loud rock during the predicted blizzard for the NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY metropolitan area.

“We work cooperatively with local emergency management offices and are a go-to resources for hyper-local information,” WSOU GM ERICA SZCZEPANIAK commtned. “While our station can be heard throughout much of the NEW YORK market, during a storm WSOU focuses in on NEW JERSEY as we know the state in a way that many NEW YORK stations don’t.”

Through its regularly scheduled newscasts and traffic/weather reports, WSOU has already been informing listeners about the impending storm. It’s enhanced coverage will begin as the storm intensifies later today.

“During every snow storm we receive scores of request calls from snowplow drivers, police officers, EMTs and others who depend on our heavy metal format to keep them informed, alert. and entertained,” says PD STEVEN VARSANYI. “We know that WSOU is a constant companion and a lifeline to those who have to work when the weather is at its worst, especially during the overnight hours. WSOU will be here for them.”

Beginning at 6p (ET) today, 13 WSOU student staff members will sequester themselves in the station for the duration of the storm. Working in shifts, the team will provide listeners regular newscasts, weather reports, details on power outages and other critical information. The station will, of course, also be playing its unique mix of metal, hardcore, punk, and other loud rock genres. “As we always are, WSOU will be live and local throughout the storm,” VARSANYI noted.

Providing news and information during a weather emergency is nothing new for WSOU. The station earned accolades for is broadcasts during HURRICANE IRENE and played a vital public service role during SUPER STORM SANDY and major winter storms. Enhancing news coverage during a blizzard provides students with an excellent hands-on learning opportunity on how radio stations serve their communities during an emergency.